NORTHWOOD — A close race for state senate seat in District 17 was emerging shortly before 11 p.m., when state Rep. John Reagan, a Republican, appeared to be winning over his Democratic opponent Nancy Fraher.

With five out of 11 precincts reporting results, Reagan had 5,994 votes, while Fraher had 5,192, according to Associated Press.

In Northwood, Reagan received 1,177 votes, while Fraher received 1,079 votes.

Reagan, 66, of 53 Mt. Delight Road in Deerfield, is a three-term state representative who is now filling the seat of recently retired state Sen. Jack Barnes. Reagan is a retired business consultant and financial planner.

Before the election, he said that he wants to build stronger ties between the House of Representatives and the Senate in New Hampshire. He said that, “The relentless growth of government size, scope and cost is the reason for the slowing economy.”

“The future of New Hampshire has to be a return to the place we were able to afford modest contributions to the unfortunate without punishing the productive,” Reagan said.

Since moving to Deerfield in 2004, Reagan has been elected as that town’s selectman three times.

At the House of Representatives, he currently chairs the Health & Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee and the joint Oversight Committee of Department of Health & Human Services.

Fraher, 57, of 5 Hutchinson Road in Chichester, is a retired teacher who have taught in Candia for 33 years and for the Department of Defense, in Germany, of two years. She is a graduate of Pembroke Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in education, with a minor in history from Plymouth State University.

Before the election, Fraher said that jobs and economy are the biggest issues this year, and that she wants to restore respect and responsibility to state government.